World Class Design on Beach Superblock

It blurs the borders between inside and out, captures salty breezes and oozes a chic contemporary air.

Orientated towards the Pacific Ocean at Sunshine Beach, renowned architect John Mainwaring's design concept for the two-storey beachfront home on Belmore Terrace was to maximize space yet avoid building a large glass box that framed a solitary view. The overseas based owners wanted a living space that offered a variety of moods. It was conceived in two main zones: the children's wing, a tapered shape, comprises bedrooms on the ground level and an informal lounge, bathroom and guest bedroom upstairs.

The second wing has the main bedroom downstairs, the kitchen, dining area and formal living area are upstairs with the kitchen and dining focusing on the ocean. With scale-like polycarbonate awnings framing the space there's a feeling of protection. On the walls of the entrance area are clear opaque panels of corrugated polycarbonate sheeting, like a patchwork which manipulates the views while the numerous doors, windows and louvres pull prevailing breezes into the interior. Throughout the house a volcanic material consisting of mostly silica shards called Hinuera stone has been used. "Barefoot it feels as though you are walking on sand," says Mainwaring.

To control the light and create a sense of intimacy in the main bedroom, Mainwaring devised a concertinaed door resembling a Japanese shoji screen. Each door can be arranged into different configurations to diffuse the natural light. Facing the doors, the low-rise bed was designed by Clayton to take in the views. Walls are painted in charcoal ochre and sand and the ensuite with its stained timber shutters and stone flooring has a similar aged patina.

"The owners' original brief to John Mainwaring included the words 'robust, calm and intimate,' characteristics which have been cleverly infused into the urban design, exemplary detail and chic moods to match every room of the residence, which later after 2 years of intensive construction won numerous awards for design excellence".

"When it comes to sophisticated beachfront living, number six Belmore Terrace leaves no boxes unchecked," real estate Principal Tom Offermann says adding, "It's all about location, location. Not only does the residence have an address befitting a masterpiece, it's on a generous 1100sqm site that's just around the corner from Sunshine Beach Village."

Links to an extended video documentary are available upon request.